Things are
heating up this weekend in Chicago and I’m not talking about the weather!

Returning
for its 10th year, Lollapalooza
brings its cultural experience back to Grant
Park (337 E. Randolph St.) in The Loop this weekend from 11:00 a.m. to
10:00 p.m. with more than 100 bands and musicians for a rockin’ 3-day music
festival!But besides music, Lolla
also offers some of the most delicious festival food, drinks and sweets from Chicago’s
favorite eateries at its Chow Town,
while the Lolla Farmers Market offers
the best locally-sourced festival fare located across from Chow Town on the lush green grass of Grant Park, along with Green Street where a variety of vendors
sell environmentally responsible goods such as art, craft items and apparel. And,
of course, the ever popular Kidzapalooza
offering families an opportunity to catch some family-friendly music on its own
stage along with arts & crafts, various activities such as creating their
own music and more!! Don’t forget to check out the “after shows” where more
than 40 artists will perform at various neighborhood venues throughout the
City! Lolla is by far the grandest stage for music legends from
across the globe!!

The
Southern Hemisphere will be heating things up as well with the following
neighborhood festivals focusing on the Latino culture –

Fiesta
Del Solreturns for its 43rd year to the Pilsen
neighborhood at 1400 W. Cermak Rd. (Loomis St. and Cermak Rd.) on Saturday
(11:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m.) and Sunday (11:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.). This year’s theme,
“A Dream for All” (“Un Sueño Para Todos”) will feature authentic cuisine from a
variety of countries, provide a huge lineup of entertainment and music, offer
an Art & Culture Pavilion where you can browse the work of local artists in
all mediums and even engage with the artists themselves, and the Children’s
Area providing read out-loud sessions, book giveaways, games and other fun
activities! Definitely the largest Latino festival in the Midwest!!

Taste of Latin America returns for its 3rd year
to the Logan Square neighborhood at 3600 W. Armitage Ave. (Armitage and Central
Park Aves.) on Saturday (11:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.) and Sunday (11:00 a.m.-9:00
p.m.). This gala celebration of all things Central and South American features
eclectic & exotic cuisine from nearly a dozen Latin American countries
where you’ll have the culinary experience of a lifetime, provide an eclectic
world music lineup, offer arts & crafts, cooking demonstrations and much
more! Definitely showcases Latin culture and a rich multi-country heritage!!

Returning
for its 4th year, Edge
Fest returns to the Edgewater neighborhood at
5930 N. Broadway St. (Broadway St. and Thorndale Ave.) on Saturday (12:00
p.m.-10:00 p.m.) and Sunday (12:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.). Taking over the lakefront
in celebration of all things Edgewater, Edge Fest features delicious
cuisines in this exclusive neighborhood provided by local restaurants, provides
two stages of music by popular acts from a variety of musical styles as well as
a special karaoke stage where you can woo the crowd, and offers much more such
as a dog costume contest and “DockDogs,” a traveling aquatics dog competition
new this year! The Chicago Reader
labels this one of the top festival picks for August and a can’t miss event!!

Tonight, Thursday 7/30, at Couch Place
Alley (entrance on State St. between Lake and Randolph) is the next setting for Activate, the super hip
and freepop-up urban experience that
brings art, music, and people together in select Loop alleyways, made possible
by the Chicago Loop Alliance. Tonight's event will be presented by the
pro-artist company, Thēarē Group. Rob McKay, Thēarē Group's President, says to
expect "a mix of music, visual and community art; true to the nature of
our mission of art bringing people together." They will also showcase a
peek at the feature-length documentary Midway:
The Story of Chicago Hip-Hop which is about the history and struggles of
the hip-hop culture in Chicago. Follow the link to RSVP and learn about future
dates!

GOLD
COAST

From destruction to beautification, elements
of the landscaping around the former A. Finkl & Sons steel plant near the
Cortland St. Bridge in Lincoln Park has been transplanted into Washington
Square Park in the Gold Coast. Demolition of the plant began last month and DNAinfo.com
has learned that the site's new owners, AFS Properties LLC, is allowing
salvagers to rescue plants, but not trees, for re-plantation before demolition is
complete. Apparently the guards tasked with protecting the demolition site are very encouraging of the offer which is being done in respect to Finkl's continued commitment to the environment and reforestation.
The Finkl plant is being relocated to 1355 E. 93rd St. on the South Side.

LINCOLN
PARK

What once was a Buffalo Wild Wings at
2464 N. Lincoln Ave. is now the Midwest's first New York Wing Factory
location. The menu offers a wide variety of wing flavors and heat intensities
plus burgers, ribs and side dishes such as mac & cheese and chili. Wings
can be ordered bone-in or boneless and they all come battered and double fried
for delectable crispiness. The New York Wing Factory is open on weekdays from 4:00pm -
2:00am, and weekends until 3:00am so there's a full bar to keep you entertained
through the late hours.

PORTAGE
PARK

Joey Beato, the Executive Chef and
Partner of Community Tavern and The Portage, has earned himself a spot in this
year's 30 Under 30 list
by Zagat. In addition to Zagat's annually curated list of restaurant standouts,
they also take note of trendsetting individuals who they believe to be
"Rock Stars Redefining the Industry," all below the age of 30.
Beato's innovation is being noted as having an in-house butchery program that
starts with whole animals and includes the dry-aging process on the premises of
Community Tavern, allowing for a lower price point to customers in a city that
knows how to appreciate a phenomenal steak.

NAPERVILLE

The Naperville Heritage Society has
been awarded a grant of $50,000by the
National Endowment for the Humanities 2015 Sustaining Cultural Heritage
Collections. The Heritage Society is lucky to receive one of the 17 grants
that's been awarded from a total of 85 applications. The grant will be used to
maintain and protect several of the museum's historical buildings and
collections from environmental issues on its 12 acres of land. The Naper
Settlement exhibit consists of a collection of historical buildings
representing time periods as far back as 1831. There's no doubt that the grant
will be put to good use in wake of all the Chicagoland rainstorms we've been
experiencing.

Whether you get your herbs at a Farmer’s
Market or grow them yourself they are plentiful this time of year.
Often we buy or grow more than we can use and end up throwing much out. There
are ways to extend their shelf life and enjoy fresh herb taste in the dead of
winter. You also know your herbs are organically grown and environmentally
responsible.

I used to recommend drying as it is the easiest. But most
herbs lose so much flavor that I really only use it for tough herbs like
parsley and rosemary. Dry washed, dried herbs on a rack over a cookie sheet in
a 120 degree oven. Leave the door open, you are drying them not cooking. Store
in airtight glass jars away from heat and light. Use within a few months for
optimal flavor.

Freezing is simple and easy. You can freeze whole leaves and
sprigs. Lay washed and dried herbs on a baking sheet. Lay flat in the freezer
overnight. In the morning pack them into freezer bags, squeezing out as much
air as you can. Again use quickly as they will lose flavor. For longer storage
time freeze in ice cubes. Chop herbs and place a tablespoon in each
compartment. Fill ¾ the way with broth or water. Freeze, afterwards top with
more water or broth and freeze again. Herbs tend to float, the two stage freeze
will prevent freezer burn on tender herbs. Use these in soups and stews for
great flavor. Pesto also freezes well in ice cube trays. Store in freezer bags.

Herb butters are delicious and versatile. Mince fresh herbs,
a mixture or just one, into softened organic butter. Do one part herbs to two
parts butter. Mix, form into a log and freeze. Use slices to melt over meat and
vegetables or sauté in recipes. Garlic and parsley herb butter make great
garlic bread.

Vinegar is one of the oldest preserving methods still used
today. With all the different types
of vinegar available today the possibilities are endless. Wash and dry
whole leaves and sprigs. Slide the herbs into clean glass jars. Fill the
bottles with room temperature vinegar and store in a cool dark place. Use jars
with cork or plastic stoppers. Vinegar eats metal. Use about ½ cup herbs to 2
cups vinegar. More if you want more concentrated flavor. The flavor will
intensify in 4-6 weeks.

We don’t recommend herb oils. If there is even a trace of
moisture on the herbs it makes a good environment for growing botulism
bacteria. If you must, store in the refrigerator and use in a few
weeks.

It's that time of year when Chicagoans are outside more than the normal enjoying the beautiful summertime weather. There are days though when it's too hot or simply inconvenient to get that workout done.

Welcome to the latest in membership sites that will help with your workout and allow you to try pretty much any type of class available. The company is called ClassPass and they want you to have the diverse membership that makes you excited about working out.

You are not a member to one specific gym with this membership. You can try multiple studios and classes through the use of this one membership. You can as many classes as you want per month with a three class visit limit per month at the same studio.

Once you've joined, you log into your account and search for the classes you'd like to take. Your search options include by time, by date, by location, or by activity type. Once you've reserved your space in a class, you'll receive a confirmation email. Prior to the class start, you'll also receive a reminder email with particulars about what to bring, the studio location and when to arrive. Although you must make a reservation for any class, you can use the app to make a reservation up to 5 minutes before class starts.

Who is up
for another weekend packed with Chicago’s neighborhood street festivals? If you
are, let’s get this weekend started!

Returning
to the streets of the Lincoln Park neighborhood for its 32nd year,
the Taste of Lincoln Avenue invites
you to North Lincoln Avenue between Fullerton & Wrightwood Avenues this
Saturday and Sunday (12:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.) for their popular summer happening.
This year’s Fest highlights include three stages of nearly 30 music acts from
classic rock to legendary Chicago blues acts to top local tribute bands and
more; an abundance of food and libations from nearly 100 neighborhood vendors
such as Fiesta Mexicana, Gaby’s Pizza & Grill, Greek Delights and more; and
the ever popular “Kids’ Carnival” with a range of activities that include face
painting, games & prizes, stage performers, a petting zoo and much more. Held
in conjunction with this Fest, the 4th annual Lill Street Craft Fair will be held on Lill Street from Lincoln
Avenue to Halsted Street with unique DIY and handmade art in virtually any
medium!

Returning
to the streets of the Wicker Park neighborhood for its 12th year,
the Wicker Park Fest sets-up on
Milwaukee Avenue between North & Paulina Avenues this Saturday and Sunday
(12:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.) for its colossal street party. This year’s Fest
highlights include three stages of continuous live music, dozens of the most
popular local restaurants & boutiques, an “Arts” section complete with
unique and inspired works from some of the most talented local artists &
art organizations and a Kids Fest Stage (Milwaukee & Wolcott Avenues)
featuring a wide variety of kids activities such as face & nail painting,
hair streaking, cookie decorating, bungie run, crafts and more from 12:00 p.m.
to 6:00 p.m. both days! And, for those who wish to continue their fun beyond
the Fest, visit either Umami Burger, Subterranean or Beat Kitchen where the after-parties pick-up!!

Looking
for somewhere to just kick-back and quench your thirst?Well, the Chicago
Margarita Festival takes place at Northerly Island (1521 S. Linn White
Dr.) in the heart of Museum Campus which is south of the Adler Planetarium
& east of Soldier Field on Saturday from 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. This
outdoor festival combines live music, dancing, food trucks, a margarita tasting
and a fireworks show over Lake Michigan for a fun day at the park! Word has it
too there’s a salsa dancing contest with cash prizes for the winning team!!

Finally, another
premier neighborhood event takes place on Chicago’s Northwest Side in the Jefferson Park neighborhood this Saturday (12:00 p.m.-11:00
p.m.) and Sunday (12:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.) with the Jeff Fest Arts & Musical Festival
held at Jefferson Memorial Park (4822
N. Long Ave.). Besides featuring delicious food from local restaurants set-up
in a family-picnic area, two stages of live music, domestic & craft beers,
bags in the Park and a Kids’ Zone round out this jam-packed Fest!

It's time for Lincoln Park Zoo's annual
Wine
and Wildflowers Garden Party. Tickets are $65 for Zoo members or $75
for non-members for the Wednesday, 7/29, 6:00pm - 8:30pm event that will allow
you to enjoy wine and food pairings while
taking in the Zoo's gardens with live music and horticultural experts on hand
for lively conversation. This year's theme revolves around the four natural
elements: air, fire, water, and earth. The deadline for ticket purchasing is
tomorrow, 7/24!

EVANSTON

Here's something different and
intriguing to do this weekend! The Actors Gymnasium is holding its Summer
Circus Intensive Performance Showcaseon Saturday, 7/25, 4:30pm and
7:30pm, and Sunday 7/26, 1:00pm and 4:00pm. What makes it so intense you ask?
Because it's showcasing the students of their Intensive I and Intensive II
programs which are six-week-long workshops for higher-level adult performers.
For only $15, this is an exciting date idea.

NORWOOD
PARK

DNAinfo.com is highlighting a great
problem solver to the Chicago Public School budget cuts in the Northwest Side.
They report Taft High School (6530 W. Bryn Mawr) Principal, Mark Grishaber's,
decision to distribute $18,000 of Taft High School's budget to
15neighboring elementary schools' sport
programs. The contribution will be an investment to foster stronger athletes,
many of which will eventually feed into Taft High School's sports programs.
Grishaber says that sharing the money "... is what's best for the kids."

LAKEVIEW

Chicago will always be building - bigger, better, faster, and stronger.
Sometimes the construction phase is a bit inconvenient, but it's nice to think
about the big picture and be in-the-know about new establishments in the works.
The construction taking place around the Paulina Brown Line station is part of Chicago's
TOD
Ordinance, to bring Transit-Oriented Development to promote usage of CTA or
Metra stations by constructing more retailers and residences nearby. The plans
by developer Centrum Partners and architecture firm Hirsch Associates is
to create a two-story retail building and a separate 36-unit residence that
will include 6,000 squarefeet of retail space on the ground level.
Interestingly, only 8 parking spaces will be available for the residence
building since the project is aligned with the TOD Ordinance after all.

WEST
LOOP

The West Loop Community Organization
has posted helpful information from Business Affairs Consumer Protection (121
N. LaSalle Dr. #805) on their site regarding How to Address a Problem Business in Your Neighborhood. Now no
one WANTS to have to worry about neighborhood nuisances however it's helpful
to be aware of appropriate procedures to take if ever necessary. The post
includes tips such as making sure to document nuisance issues by taking
pictures and note of dates and times, attending local Chicago's Alternative
Policing Strategy (CAPS) meetings, and requirements for setting up community
meetings by use of BACP.

Perennials are often forgotten in the garden. They reliably
bloom and grow year after year with little or no care. But with a little care
they can bloom bigger and look better than you ever thought.

Perennials can be divided and replanted. This actually
benefits the plant and prevents overgrowth. Two days before dividing, water
thoroughly. Begin by taking a spade and making digs 6-8 inches the width of the
shovel from the center of the plant. Slide the spade under to lift the entire
plant and root ball. If the plant is on the smaller side (6-10 stems) simply
divide in half. Gently pull apart with your hands and cut straight through the
root ball. For larger plants divide into thirds. Dig new holes slightly
shallower and two inches around larger than the root ball. Gently tease the
root ball to loosen the roots.Place the
divided ball in the ground and backfill with topsoil augmented with root
developer. Water daily for a week or so till plants are established.
Sit back and watch them take off. We divided 4 large Hostas
in our gangway using this method and it worked perfectly! This also works with
Daylilies and other bushy blooming perennials. Divide fall bloomers in spring
and summer bloomers in fall.

If your soil is particularly rich, no fertilizer is needed
but unfortunately most of us are not blessed with perfect soil. A general all-purpose
garden fertilizer is best. Check labels though. Acid loving perennials, like
azaleas, benefit from an acid fertilizer like Miracid®.
Follow label directions and resist the urge to over fertilize. More than the
recommended amount can burn the plant especially during summer heat. Use two
inches of mulch around the plant to conserve water and protect roots.

Cutting off spent blooms is the best way to encourage new
blooms as well as making the plant look better. This is called “dead heading”.
Every plant in the lawn and garden benefits from dead heading. As vegetable
plants put out more veggies, the more we harvest.

With a little care we can have perennials that look great
and will be blooming for many years to come.

Each day I see many people running, walking or hiking by the lake for health, for training or simply for the love of it. Imagine now that they (or you) could sign up for a 25,000-mile relay. Earthathon is a way for you to join a team virtually and participate.

Since running tends to be a solitary sport, this allows you to join a team and compete as part of a community. The overall goal of the group is to help others reach their fitness goals. For 2015 there are a total of 10 teams participating. It is free to sign up or you can pay the annual fee of $30 to help support the running of the site.

As an individual you'll sign up to track your mileage. Once you sign up you also join a team. All members tweet their miles (or km) using the designated hashtag #earthathon. One lap around the earth is approximately 25,000 miles. Though there are place rankings, your participation does not stop there. Once your team completes their lap, your mileage will be added to the next team so that a total of 250,000 miles will be completed. The purpose of tracking statistics is so that you can see what you contributed to the relay in mileage and percentage of actual earth covered.

This is an international movement and there are virtual rewards for all who get involved. Participation is awarded with the earthathon medal for 26.2 miles, bronze medal for 131 miles, silver medal for 262 medals and a gold medal for 524 miles. "Earthathoners" encourage, congratulate and encourage each other from across the globe. Since the goal is to help people reach their goals, there is no minimum distance. The organizers request that you record your distances to the nearest 0.1 mile as that is how data is collated.

This third
weekend in July brings us a variety of Chicago Neighborhood Street Fests as these
communities showcase all they have to offer!

The River
North neighborhood brings the 14th annual Taste of
River North to A. Montgomery Ward Park (630 N. Kingsbury St.) this Saturday (12:00
p.m.-10:00 p.m.) and Sunday (11:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.) in celebration of their
neighborhood’s restaurants and chefs. This family-friendly event features
amazing food prepared by local chefs serving up unique & generous portions
compared to other street festivals, offers live music from local party &
tribute bands and a special designated Kids’ Zone offering family
entertainment, face painters, balloon artists, a playground and more!

The
Wrigleyville neighborhood brings back SausageFest
Chicago to Cubby
Bear Wrigleyville (1059 W. Addison St.) this Saturday and Sunday (12:00
p.m.-10:00 p.m.) in celebration of the greatest encased meats Chicago has to
offer by offering a variety of gourmet sausages produced by some of this City’s
most beloved & longstanding butchers. This event also features live music,
refreshing drinks, family-friendly games & activities and the heated race
for “Sausage King of Chicago” where contestants compete to raise the most
donations for the Wounded Warrior Project!

The
Lakeview neighborhood brings Summer on Southport to Southport and Waveland Avenues (3700 N.
Southport Ave.) this Saturday (10:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.) and Sunday (10:00
a.m.-9:00 p.m.) showcasing some of the City’s best and most diverse artists in
numerous art forms. A special Kid’s Area filled with interactive games and
activities will make for an unforgettable time by kids of all ages, while
evening brings a stage of some this City’s favorite bands performing songs from
the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s and today!

The North
Center neighborhood brings the oldest summer fest, BenFest,
to the northside of Chicago at St.
Benedict Church (2215 W. Irving Park Rd.) this Saturday (1:00 p.m.-10:00
p.m.) and Sunday (1:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.) with a celebration featuring a variety
of menu & beverage options, live entertainment from great bands, some good
‘ole fabulous family fun for every age group and great prizes with a Grand
Prize Drawing for $10,000 cash!

The
Lincoln Park neighborhood brings the 4th annual Chicago
Craft Beer Festival and the Sheffield
Music Festival & Garden Walk to Sheffield and Webster Avenues (2200 N.
Sheffield Ave.) this Saturday and Sunday (12:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.). Visitors of
the Craft
Beer Fest who purchase a pass can sample over 100 specialty/small batch
microbrews from Chicago and other breweries while the Garden Walk offers
self-guided garden tours of over 80 neighborhood gardens and small, intimate
afternoon guided tours of rowhouses and Victorian-era architecture.Both events include live music, food and
plenty of afternoon kids’ activities!

Finally,
the Chinatown neighborhood brings its 37th annual Chinatown Summer Fair to Wentworth Avenue and Cermak Road this
Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. in celebration of its Asian culture. Not
only does this event feature food from award-winning neighborhood restaurants,
music & dance performances, arts & crafts, kids’ activities and more,
but it also features the popular and colorful Dragon and Lion Dance Procession!

The Department of Business
Affairs & Consumer Protection(BACP)
at 121 N. LaSalle St. has posted its July calendar of Business Education
Workshops. These free workshops are open to the public every Wednesdays and
Fridays and are a great resource for small business owners to educate themselves
on City Hall's requirements to open or keep their businesses running.

LINCOLN
PARK

NewCity, the shopping mall that's
been under construction for the last 8 years just south of the North/Clybourn
retail corridor, is expecting to finally open this fall. So a job
fair will be held this Saturday, 7/18, from 8:00am to 5:00pm at CICS
ChicagoQuest charter school (1443 N. Ogden Ave) across the street from the
construction site. Several retailers, including Mariano's, ArcLight Cinemas,
Dick's Sporting Goods, LYFE Kitchen and many more are looking to staff full-
and part-time positions from clerks to managers. The NewCity project will also
include medical office spaces, a public parking garage, and apartments for lease.

GOLD
COAST

This Sunday, 7/19, from 12:00pm - 5:00pm
is the 57th annual North Dearborn Association's Dearborn Garden Walk.
More than 20 private gardens will be on display with a narrated walking tour
and live jazz and classical music performances throughout. Admission will take place at Latin Middle
School (45 W. North Blvd). $30 advance tickets can be purchased up until
12:00pm on Saturday, 7/18, otherwise admission is $35 on the day of the
event. Proceeds will benefit the preservation and beautification of the immediate
community.

PORTAGE
PARK

Alderman John Arena's office took to EveryBlock.comtoannounce the temporary closings
of two intersections along Central Ave. starting Monday, 7/20. The Chicago
Department of Water Management will be updating sewer lines that have been in
place since 1909. Drivers are being advised to avoid the intersections of
Central and Montrose Avenues for 1 month, and Central and Berteau Avenues for 2
months until the work is completed. Montrose Ave. will be detoured onto Cicero, to Irving Park, to Austin, then back to Montrose. Central Ave. will be detoured onto Irving Park, to Austin, to Lawrence, and then back to Central Ave.

EVANSTON

Northwestern University students will
have an easier time getting around in the coming school year due to
the partnership
with CTA that's been reported this week. Any student or faculty member
with a Northwestern University ID will be allowed to ride the No. 201 Central/Ridge
bus route for free from Sept. 2015 through June 2016. This will be the
beginning of a 5 year agreement that's been made to lessen traffic by replacing
the Ryan Field Shuttle, and offer more frequent and longer service hours for
Northwestern. Students can still use the Ventra U-Pass for discounted fares
during the summer.

Verizon is jumping into the mobile video game with their new partner Vice Media. It's part of the new trend of consumers who are getting rid of their cable and streaming their viewing experience online.

While there are not a lot of details as yet, here is what we know. Verizon Wireless subscribers will be able to access the service. There are deals with Viacom, AwesomenessTV, ESPN, CBS Sports, Scripps Networks Interactive among others.

To get a feel for what channels you can access, you can simply look at the parent company. For example, if you're a foodie, Scripps carries Cooking Channel, Food Network, HGTV, Travel Channel. While Viacom has several channels that we all know - MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central - it's unclear which channels will actually be available. A major coup is the ESPN contract. This contract will now be in competition with Dish which could prove to be exciting for sports fans.

Verizon hopes to be more competitive with Comcast's streaming service. Verzon did note that they will be streaming "Autobiographies," an original new series from Vice. According to Terry Denson, VP of Content Strategy and Acquisition, "VICE is connecting with an entire generation in a way that no one else is and Verizon will connect consumers to VICE in a way that no one else does by combining VICE's storytelling with the most compelling mobile video platform."

Now that we are past the fourth we are getting into the
midsummer. Usually we will be dealing with hotter temperatures and often drier
conditions. This summer has been a little unusual in the Chicagoland area. We
have mostly had very cool temperatures and a large amount of rain. This has
been great for the grass which prefers a lot of water and cool weather. As in
hot conditions we want to leave the grass a little longer. Cut more often never
removing more than 1/3 the length. Always remember trees, lawn and garden
require at least 1 inch of water per week. Augment if necessary, paying special
attention to spots under cover of trees and bushes, put out an empty can and
water until there is at least an inch in the can. These areas often stay dry
even in pouring rain.

When watering trees it’s a good idea to use a root
waterer. This gets the water right down to the roots where it is
needed. Always water at the “drip line”. This is the perimeter around the tree
where the branches reach the farthest. The roots reach as far as the branches.
Water in three different spots around the perimeter at least one hour each. If you don’t have a root
waterer simply trickle an open hose the same way.

The garden vegetables are going along nicely. No ripe
tomatoes yet but many green ones on the vine. Keep harvesting veggies that are
ready now like beans, peas and lettuce. Frequent picking will encourage more
vegetables. Keep an eye out for pests. They often hide under leaves. Use a
vegetable dust if you
see any or notice chewing on leaves. Read labels thoroughly and follow
directions to the letter. Many can be used up to two days before harvest.
Always wash veggies before eating. We even use a little mild soap. Even if you
don’t use pesticides, birds and animals are leaving their deposits everywhere!

With a little care and tending you can keep the lawn and
garden going through the hottest summer.

Another
summer-like weekend is in store for Chicago and this one is all about the food
and then some!

The Taste of Chicago 2015
wraps-up this Saturday and Sunday (10:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.) at Grant Park (337 E. Randolph St.) in The
Loop. Since 1980 this food fest features a delicious array of food from over
200 different menu items from a variety of cuisines showcasing the diversity of
Chicago’s dining community. Besides plenty of food, this event also features
live music, family activities, “In the Kitchen with Mariano’s” (chef
demonstrations), “Fashion Focus Chicago Maker Market” (28 Chicago designers
& boutiques selling art & current season apparel & accessories),
the “Pure Leaf Celebrity Chef du Jour” (enjoy a sit-down, three-course meal in
an air-conditioned pavilion) and more!

The Windy City Smokeout takes place this
Saturday (12:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.) and Sunday (12:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.) at Grand Avenue and the Chicago River (560
W. Grand Ave.) in the River North neighborhood. This food fest not only serves
up southern-inspired fare from Chicago’s and several out-of-state BBQ
restaurants with an opportunity to interact with the chefs and their culinary
teams but also features the best of live country music and an amateur BBQ Rib
Competition for the at-home chefs!

The Roscoe Village Burger Festreturns this Saturday and
Sunday (11:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.) to Belmont
and Damen Avenues (2000 W. Belmont Ave.) in the Roscoe Village
neighborhood. In addition to mouth-watering burgers from Chicago’s top
emporiums & restaurants being served up at this food fest, there’s also
great live music on two stages, the popular Kids’ Zone activity area and arts
& crafts vendors! Don’t forget to vote for your favorite burger!!

The Taste of Lakeview
returns this Saturday (12:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m.) and Sunday (12:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.)
at Belmont and Lincoln Avenues (3200
N. Lincoln Ave.) in the Lakeview neighborhood. This food fest offers a sampling
of food from neighborhood vendors along with live music from some of Chicago’s
hottest musical acts, arts & crafts vendors, family fun and more!

The West Fest takes place this Saturday and
Sunday (12:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.) at Chicago
and Damen Avenues (2000 W. Chicago Ave.) in the Ukrainian Village. Explore
the cultural offerings of this neighborhood which will feature food, live music
& DJs on three stages, vendor booths, a Kids Fest (Wolcott at Chicago), a
Pet Fest (12:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.) and more!

Finally,
the Irish American Heritage Festival returns
this Saturday (11:00 a.m.-1:00 a.m.) and Sunday (11:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m.) to the Irish American Heritage Center (4626 N.
Knox Ave.) in the Mayfair neighborhood. Not only does this fest feature Irish
and American food and drink from a variety of Chicago vendors, but it also
features over 100 performers on 5 stages, shopping, cultural exhibits, kid’s
activities, various contests such as the Freckle Contest, the Mashed Potato
Eating Contest and others, a Fest Mass & Carvey Brunch and much more!